Weymouth’s traditional deckchairs are in the running to be named one of the UK’s top seaside experiences - and residents are being urged to vote before the public poll closes.
The familiar chairs, available along Weymouth seafront, are Dorset’s only shortlisted entry in the Seaside Heritage Network’s 2026 Bucket and Spade List.
The annual list celebrates places, attractions and traditions which represent the heritage of the British seaside.
Voting is open until Tuesday, September 1, with the public able to choose from 10 shortlisted experiences across England, Scotland and Wales.
Weymouth’s deckchairs are competing with Herne Bay Pier in Kent; Wemyss Bay Railway Station in Inverclyde; Tinside Lido in Plymouth; Blackpool Colonnades; Aberystwyth Cliff Railway; Volk’s Electric Railway in Brighton; North and South Marine Parks in South Shields; Harbour Bar in Scarborough; and Margate’s Shell Grotto.
The town council is encouraging people to support Weymouth’s entry and help put the resort at the top of the national list.
For generations, locals and holidaymakers have hired deckchairs on the beach to enjoy views across Weymouth Bay, eat an ice cream, read, watch the activity on the sands or simply listen to the waves.
The seafront’s giant deckchair has also become a popular attraction, giving visitors a distinctive setting for holiday photographs.
Cllr Ryan Hope, chairman of Weymouth Town Council’s environment and services committee, said: “I’m blown away that our deckchairs have been nominated for the Bucket and Spade List.
“They provide an opportunity to take time out from the busy world we live in, and are a timeless pleasure.”
The Bucket and Spade List was launched in 2023 by the Seaside Heritage Network, a charity which promotes understanding of the history and wider heritage of Britain’s coastal resorts.
The inaugural public vote was won by Saltburn Cliff Railway.
The network was originally formed in 2016 by Scarborough Museum Trust, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, with a focus on researching seaside collections and connecting organisations responsible for coastal heritage.
It was re-established in 2022 by volunteers with a broader focus on seaside tourism heritage.
Its activities now include online talks, guided tours and events in resorts around the country.
Weymouth has previously featured among locations for its heritage tours.
The town council hopes local support can help Weymouth’s deckchairs win recognition alongside some of the country’s best-known coastal landmarks and attractions.
Votes can be cast through the Seaside Heritage Network’s 2026 Bucket and Spade List voting page here: https://seasideheritage.org.uk/about/
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